What Does “Name sth after sth” Mean?
“Name sth after sth” means to give someone or something a name that honors or remembers another person, place, or thing.
Introduction
The phrase “Name sth after sth” is commonly used in English to explain how something or someone is given a name in honor of another person, place, event, or object. This expression helps show respect, admiration, or memory. For example, a child might be named after a grandparent, or a building might be named after a famous person. Understanding the “Name sth after sth meaning” makes it easier to talk about naming traditions and reasons in daily conversations. It is a useful phrase to know for both speaking and writing, especially when discussing history, family, or places.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: name something after something
- Type: Transitive
- Level: B1 (Intermediate)
- Short meaning: To give a name to someone or something to honor or remember another person or thing
Structure (Grammar Rules)
“Name sth after sth” is a transitive phrasal verb. It is inseparable, which means you cannot place the object between “name” and “after.”
Correct pattern: name + something + after + something
For example: “They named the park after the city founder.”
Incorrect: “They named after the city founder the park.”
How to Use “Name sth after sth”?
Use this phrase when you want to explain the origin of a name. It is often used for people, places, buildings, streets, ships, and other objects. It shows that the name was chosen as a tribute or in memory of someone or something.
Examples include naming a baby after a relative or naming a school after a famous person. It is also common in historical contexts or when talking about traditions.
Examples
People often use “Name sth after sth” when talking about names with special meanings.
- They named their son after his grandfather.
- The city was named after a famous explorer.
- Our school is named after a local hero.
- She named her dog after her favorite book character.
- The ship was named after the queen.
Here is “Name sth after sth in a sentence”: “The museum was named after the artist who created most of the paintings.”
Common Mistakes
Many learners confuse the word order or use the wrong preposition.
- Incorrect: They named after the city the park.
- Correct: They named the park after the city.
- Incorrect: She named her dog for her favorite character.
- Correct: She named her dog after her favorite character.
Remember, the correct preposition is always “after” when using this phrasal verb.
Differences / Synonyms
Similar expressions include “call sth after sth” and “dedicate sth to sth.” However, these have slight differences.
- “Call sth after sth” is similar but less common and can sound informal.
- “Dedicate sth to sth” means to officially give something in honor of someone but does not always refer to naming.
“Name sth after sth” specifically means giving the same name to honor or remember, which makes it more precise.
Common Collocations
The phrase often appears with these objects:
- Person: naming a child or pet after a relative or famous person
- Place: naming a city, street, or park after a historical figure
- Building: naming a school, library, or hospital after a donor or celebrity
- Ship or vehicle: naming a ship, car, or airplane after a person or event
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of name sth after sth:
Real-life Dialogue
Here is a short conversation using “Name sth after sth”:
Anna: Why is the new library called “Lincoln Library”?
Ben: It’s named after Abraham Lincoln, the former president.
Anna: Oh, that makes sense. It’s a way to honor him.
Practice
Try to complete the sentences with the correct form:
- They __________ the street __________ the famous writer.
- We __________ our dog __________ my favorite movie character.
- The school was __________ after the first principal.
Answers:
- named / after
- named / after
- named
FAQs
- Q: Can I use “name after” for objects other than people?
A: Yes, you can name places, buildings, animals, and objects after people or things. - Q: Is “name after” separable?
A: No, it is inseparable. The object comes before “after.” - Q: What is the difference between “name after” and “call after”?
A: “Name after” is more formal and common when explaining the origin of a name. - Q: Can I use “name after” when naming a pet?
A: Yes, it is common to name pets after people or characters. - Q: Do I always need a person after “name after”?
A: No, you can name something after a place, event, or object as well.
